Research Support

The SMRC Research Support Hub (RSH) provides comprehensive support to St. Mary’s Hospital Center (SMHC) clinicians, researchers and their trainees at every stage of their projects, from conception to completion. By offering a range of pre- and post-award services, scientific consultation, and knowledge translation support, the RSH aims to streamline research processes and empower SMHC researchers to focus on the essence of their work. 

This unique service is designed to empower the clinical and research community, by providing them with support targeted at reaching scientific productivity. It ensures that SMHC remains a key player in advancing knowledge on best practices in community, proximity and patient-centered care, and further strengthens the academic mandate of SMHC.

St. Mary's Research Centre will provide support for eligible members of the St. Mary's community who are conducting or plan to conduct research projects aimed at generating new knowledge, or research projects evaluating quality improvement processes.

The Research Support Hub is structured along four functions representing the research life-cycle, each with its offer of services, and each connected to internal and external stakeholders:

• Identify funding opportunities

• Conduct rapid reviews and support needs assessments

• Support and consultation for proposal/protocol development

• Coordinate grant submissions

• Grant management: Provide support for grant management, including assistance with financial reporting, billing, budget monitoring, research agreements (through the office of the Associate Director)

• Ethics and institutional review: Facilitate the ethics review process by reviewing submissions. Support with use of REB submission platforms and completion of institutional review forms. 

• Data management: Offer consultation to prepare data management protocols and review required accesses for institutional data. Support planning for data collection (processes and tools), storage, and security.

• Project management: Recommend project management tools and processes tailored to the specific needs of each project.

• Participant recruitment planning: Consult on recruitment strategies (how to approach target populations, recruitment channels, scripts, and other materials).

• Hiring and training research staff: Support the research assistant hiring process by identifying the skills and expertise required, reviewing job descriptions, and assisting in interviewing and onboarding new research staff.

• Statistical analysis: Support researchers in statistical analysis, offering guidance on data analysis and interpretation (through statistical consultation office).

• Dissemination: Assist researchers in academic publishing, submission of conference abstracts, and other knowledge translation activities.

• Data compilation: Collect, organize, and maintain data related to funding (requested and received), active projects, publications, scientific impact, student supervision, formal collaborations, and researcher profile information

• Report generation: Generate reports that showcase the scientific endeavors of SMRC investigators, providing insights into their productivity and impact

• Collaboration and community engagement:

  • Networking and knowledge sharing events

  • Community outreach and partnership

• Training and professional development:

  • Research skills development for research staff

  • Mentorship and capacity building programs

Reach us at research.stmary@ssss.gouv.qc.ca to speak with a team member about your research support needs.